The weekend was designated to Pride Month celebrations. However, images of the various events held around the country have generated controversy, raising debate and elevating it to the most discussed topic on social media. Above all, because of the attendance of children at demonstrations such as the following one in Minneapolis:
Man in underwear showing his bulge twerks in front of a group of young children at Minneapolis Pride earlier today.
When do we finally say enough is enough?
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) June 25, 2023
Or the presence of naked cyclists in the Seattle parade:
BODY PRIDE: Not sure if this one is officially sanctioned by @OurSeattlePride. But group of naked folks on bicycles just passed by with kids in the audience.😂 #Seattle #SeattlePride #Pride #LGBTQ pic.twitter.com/Bp9K5DAZr4
— Jonathan Choe Journalist (Seattle) (@choeshow) June 26, 2022
New York is the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ rights movement and today, thousands of New Yorkers came together to show our #StrengthInSolidarity. Happy #Pride! pic.twitter.com/GqdwuJuIAs
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) June 25, 2023
New York, at the forefront of controversy
"We're here, we're queer, we're coming for your children," Drag March attendees could be heard chanting as they marched down the streets of Manhattan. Timcast News shared a video capturing the moment that occurred last Friday:
NYC Drag Marchers chant “we’re here, we’re queer, we’re coming for your children” https://t.co/ucK1qM4fv5 pic.twitter.com/OhBguhWwZY
— Timcast News (@TimcastNews) June 24, 2023
"And these people seriously wonder why society is turning against us?!," wrote Gays Against Groomers, one of the accounts that shared the video. "These people are doing more harm to our community than any actual bigot could ever hope to."
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene also took to Twitter to show her displeasure, accusing the LGBT movement of inducing minors to receive mastectomies and castrations, as well as fueling a "a multi billion dollar medical child abuse industry."
“We’re here we’re queer and we’re coming for your children!”
This movement grooms minors to have mastectomies and castration and fuels a multi billion dollar medical child abuse industry.
Pass the Protect Children’s Innocence Act.
Let kids be kids.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) June 24, 2023
Another of the criticisms of the Pride Month demonstrations was the presence of children. In some videos, children can be seen alongside adults at a fountain in New York, at a "clothing-optional Pride event":
Children and adults are playing together at a clothing-optional #Pride event water party in Washington Square Park in New York City. pic.twitter.com/2biJJnni4U
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) June 25, 2023
Marches and protests
The weekend was full of marches and counter-marches. In addition to New York, where Christina Aguilera put on a concert, there were pro-LGBT events scheduled in Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago and Seattle, according to the AP.
On Saturday, two groups with opposing flags coincided in St. Louis. “Detransitioner” Scott Newgent delivered a speech, megaphone in hand, criticizing gender reassignment surgeries for minors. In response, according to Gays Against Groomers: "A group of TRAs and child mutilation advocates" chanted behind him.
WATCH: @NotScottNewgent gives impassioned speech at our St. Louis pride protest with a group of TRAs and child mutilation advocates behind him.
We are going to fight until the war on children is ended! Thank you for joining us, Scott! You are a warrior! #LeaveTheKidsAlone pic.twitter.com/6S2WuXRoFw
— Gays Against Groomers (@againstgrmrs) June 24, 2023
